What a fantastic week it’s been in Scotland! Hats off to Xander Schauffele for braving the brutal weather and clinching his second major championship of the year. Many of us figured that once Xander got that first major under his belt, the wins would keep coming – and he’s certainly proving us right!

 

 

 

Now, we turn our attention to the 3M Open, the second-to-last event of the PGA TOUR’s 2024 FedExCup Regular Season. With players vying for those crucial spots in the three-event FedExCup Playoffs, the competition is heating up. 

3M Open 2024

Only the top 70 in the FedExCup standings after the Wyndham Championship will make it to the playoffs, so this week’s tournament at TPC Twin Cities is a golden opportunity to snag some valuable FedExCup points. 

Even though it’s the week after a major and the field might not be as strong, we’ll still see some big names like former champion Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala, Akshay Bhatia, and Sam Burns in action. TPC Twin Cities, measuring 7,431 yards with Bentgrass greens, will be hosting for the sixth year in a row. Let’s get ready for some exciting PGA DFS picks!

 

 

 

TPC Twin Cities: Course Breakdown

TPC Twin Cities, opened in 2000, is a newer golf course designed by Arnold Palmer and Tom Lehman. Known for its water hazards, which come into play on 15 holes, it feels like a Florida course dropped in Blaine, Minnesota.

Just a year after opening, TPC Twin Cities started hosting the 3M Championship, a PGA TOUR Champions event. In 2019, it debuted the 3M Open, a PGA TOUR event. Ahead of this, the course was lengthened in 2018 by Steve Venzloff to better challenge the pros. Last year, storms damaged many bunkers, but half have been rebuilt for the 2024 3M Open.

Despite its challenges, TPC Twin Cities is known for low scores, ranking as one of the easier courses on tour. However, the water hazards can lead to high scores, adding drama. The closing hole is a favorite, often adding excitement to the tournament’s end.

This is a driver-heavy course with generous 38-yard-wide fairways, allowing players to bomb their drives. The greens, averaging 6,500 square feet, are pure Bentgrass and generally flat, making them easy to putt. Hitting greens in regulation here leads to many birdie opportunities.

The par 5s are crucial for scoring. There are three, each around 590 yards and reachable for most players who hit the fairways. While the par 4s are long, the elevation helps. The par 3s are some of the easiest on tour with flat, receptive greens.

Favoring driving distance over accuracy can be wise here, given the wide fairways. Right miss tendency is a critical stat to watch, as missing right can be particularly punishing. Approaches from 160-225 yards are common, so proficiency with long irons is crucial.

Finally, if the wind is calm, the tournament can turn into a putting contest. Looking at both long-term and short-term strokes gained putting on Bentgrass is essential, along with a bit of course history for good measure.

 

 

 

2024 3M Open Field

Billy Horschel is back from his tied-for-second finish at The Open Championship and ready to compete in the 3M Open. Horschel finished T13 last year in his debut here. Nick Dunlap, after his first pro win at the Barracuda Championship, is also playing, having moved from No. 95 to No. 63 in the FedExCup standings.

Lee Hodges aims to defend his 3M Open title, currently hovering at No. 73 in the standings. Tony Finau, a former champ, hopes to shine again, having never missed a cut at TPC Twin Cities and boasting back-to-back top-10 finishes.

Notables like Akshay Bhatia, Cam Davis, and Taylor Pendrith will be in action. Keegan Bradley, the 2025 Ryder Cup U.S. Team captain, returns after a strong season with two top-10s.

Top amateur Michael Thorbjornsen, Luke Clanton, Neal Shipley, Tobias Jonsson, Ben Warian, and Ben James will also compete. Local favorite Warian, a University of Minnesota standout, gets the advantage of playing close to home.

 

 

 

PGA Stats To Know: 2024 3M Open

Driving Distance - Targets

  • Cameron Champ - 1st on Tour
  • Kevin Dougherty - 3rd on Tour
  • Chris Gotterup - 6th on Tour
  • Alejandro Tosti - 8th on Tour
  • Hayden Springer - 9th on Tour

Strokes Gained: Approach - Targets

  • Tom Hoge - 2nd on Tour
  • Tony Finau - 3rd on Tour
  • Keith Mitchell - 6th on Tour
  • Doug Ghim - 9th on Tour
  • Patton Kizzire - 11th on Tour

Strokes Gained: Putting - Targets

  • Pierceson Coody - 3rd on Tour
  • Justin Suh - 4th on Tour
  • Aaron Baddeley - 6th on Tour
  • Mackenzie Hughes - 8th on Tour
  • Taylor Pendrith - 11th on Tour

Course History

  • Tony Finau - Win, 3rd & 1 Top 10 (5 of 5 Cuts)
  • Emiliano Grillo - 2nd, 3rd, & 10th (3 of 4 Cuts)
  • Keith Mitchell - 2 Top 5 Finishes (3 for 4 Cuts)
  • J.T. Poston - 2nd & 1 Top 12 (3 of 3 Cuts)
  • Cameron Davis - 3 Top 16 Finishes (4 of 5 Cuts)

My Best Bets (38-72 Overall, -8.80 Units)

  • J.T. Poston - Top 20 (+140)
  • Cam Davis - Top 20 (+150)
  • Emiliano Grillo - Top 20 (+220)

One & Done Play

  • Cam Davis

 

 

 

PGA DFS Picks: 3M Open 2024

Top-Price DFS 2024 3M Open

Tony Finau ($10,500)

Don’t stress too much about Tony Finau missing the cut at The Open Championship—he just had a rough draw with the weather. Now, he’s heading back to TPC Twin Cities, where he’s thrived. In five appearances here, Tony’s nailed three top-10 finishes, including a win in 2022 and a seventh place last year. This course is perfect for him to bounce back.

Tony’s not just any player; he’s a six-time PGA Tour winner known for his power and consistency. Sure, The Open didn’t go his way, but he’s had a solid season overall. Given his history at TPC Twin Cities and his strong performances, Tony’s set up for success this week. If you’re following the 3M Open, keep an eye on him—Tony Finau always brings excitement to the course!

Akshay Bhatia ($9,800)

Akshay Bhatia missing the cut at the Open doesn’t really bother me. Before that, he’s been on fire this summer with a runner-up finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, a top-5 at the Travelers Championship, and a T16 at the U.S. Open. He’s been one of the hottest players lately.

Stat-wise, Bhatia is pretty impressive too. Aside from his around-the-green game, he’s in the top 40 in every strokes-gained category on Tour. In our model, he’s ranked in the top 20 for both bogey avoidance and birdie-or-better percentage over his last 24 rounds. This young golfer is definitely making waves and proving he’s a serious contender in every event he enters.

Keith Mitchell ($9,400)

Keith Mitchell is definitely one of the most consistent ball strikers around, right up there with Tony Finau. Just like Finau, he's got a solid history at TPC Twin Cities, with back-to-back Top 5 finishes.

Mitchell's game is all about driving accuracy and distance. His powerful drives and sharp iron play really make him stand out. This season, he's shown he can handle the pressure, often making big moves on the weekends. With his steady game and ability to tackle tough courses, Mitchell is definitely a player to keep an eye on.

 

 

 

Mid-Price DFS 2024 3M Open Picks

Tom Hoge ($8,800)

Tom Hoge has a solid record at TPC Twin Cities, with three top-25 finishes in five tries, including a T4 in 2022. He’s definitely looking good to snag another high finish at the 3M Open this week.

Hoge's approach game has been on fire this season, ranking just behind Scottie Scheffler in Strokes Gained: Approach. That’s a big deal at TPC Twin Cities, where most of the 3M Open winners have crushed it in this stat. This season, he’s nailed 10 top-25 finishes in 22 starts. Plus, he ranks fifth in Total Strokes Gained over the last 50 rounds at TPC courses, according to Rabbit Hole.

With his strong iron play and steady performance, Hoge is definitely a player to keep an eye on this week.

Erik Van Rooyen ($8,600)

Erik Van Rooyen has been quietly tearing it up on the golf course this year. He just had a great run at the Scottish Open, gaining over 7.5 strokes with his ball-striking. Van Rooyen’s also snagged top-10 finishes at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Myrtle Beach Classic, Cognizant Classic, and Mexico Open—courses a lot like TPC Twin Cities.

Erik, hailing from South Africa, has been climbing the PGA Tour ranks with his consistent play and impressive ball-striking. Given his success on similar courses, he’s definitely one to watch this week. If he keeps up his current form, he could easily notch another top finish. Keep an eye on him—Erik Van Rooyen might just surprise everyone with another stellar performance!

Ben Griffin ($7,900)

Ben Griffin’s been busy this season with 25 starts already. He’s sitting pretty at 59th in the standings, which is well inside the playoff cut line. Still, he’s likely to play in the Wyndham Championship to try and crack the top 50 and secure a second playoff spot.

He’s been on fire lately, especially in weaker fields—like the one we’ve got here. Griffin nabbed a runner-up spot in Canada and finished in the top 25 at the John Deere Classic. Our model has him ranked at No. 12 overall. With the way he’s been playing and the field's strength, he’s definitely worth keeping an eye on.

 

 

 

Value-Price DFS 2024 3M Open Picks

Austin Eckroat ($7,200)

Michael Thompson, a former 3M Open champ, once said TPC Twin Cities reminds him of PGA National, thanks to all the water hazards. Austin Eckroat, who just won the Cognizant Classic, is a player to watch here. His accuracy off the tee and sharp approach shots are perfect for handling the challenges at TPC Twin Cities.

At just 25, Eckroat has already proven he can excel on tough courses. Given his recent form and skill set, he’s set up well for a strong week. So, if you’re watching the 3M Open, keep an eye on Austin Eckroat—he’s got what it takes to make a big impact!

Carson Young ($6,900)

Carson Young, much like Austin Eckroat, is fantastic off the tee and has a real knack for ball-striking. He’s already turned heads this year with top-10 finishes at the Mexico Open and John Deere Classic, showing he’s got game on courses that reward aggressive play.

Young’s precision with the driver and strong performances on similar layouts make him a great pick for TPC Twin Cities. If he keeps up his current form, he could definitely make some noise this week. So, keep an eye out for Carson Young—he might just surprise everyone with a standout performance!

Austin Smotherman ($6,200)

Austin Smotherman is a steal for how likely he is to make the cut. He’s been solid lately, missing just one cut in his last 12 starts. Fresh off a T21 finish at the ISCO Championship, where he ranked top-10 in both Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green and Strokes Gained: Approach, he’s in good shape.

He’s made 1 of 2 cuts at TPC Twin Cities, with a T24 finish in 2022, so he’s got a good shot to do well again this week. With how he's been playing and his stats looking strong, he’s definitely someone to watch.

Player Pool

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